Integrated Media Content Server System And Method for Customization Of Metadata That Is Associated Therewith

ABSTRACT

A system and method for the customization of media content metadata that is transmitted to any one of a plurality of end user devices of differing types. The system is adapted to modify individual records or even individual fields from the entire gamut of available metadata into a metadata feed which is optimally suited for display upon the type of end user device. Additionally, the system is also able to modify the records or individual fields from a list of all metadata instances according to pre-recorded user preferences. The result is a system that optimally utilizes the current connection path in order to reduce congestion thereon, or to alleviate any user potential frustration caused by sporadic performance of the overloaded interconnection path.

BACKGROUND TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is not claimed to any other application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to media content metadata associated withconventional forms of media content, and more particularly, to a novelsystem which provides for customization of the metadata that istransmitted to an end user device based upon various differingparameters or characteristics thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, media content distribution systems that provided metadatarelating to its distributed media content were typically limited tovideo distribution systems such as Cable Television (CATV), and DigitalBroadcast Satellite (DBS) as well as a few, select terrestrial aerialbroadcast systems. These video distribution systems typicallyincorporated the use of electronic program guides (EPGs) which were ableto display informational media content metadata regarding current aswell as upcoming video content from the video distribution system. Theconventional EPG is basically a combination of all metadata associatedwith the available media content, which is organized for display to theuser in an easily readable format on a display such as a television.Correspondingly, each instance of media content metadata is storedwithin a listing or record, wherein each listing details specificinformation about its associated video program. In turn, each listingcontains a plurality of fields, each containing textual data and/orgraphics of still images or movie trailers that provides usefulinformation regarding the media content.

Nevertheless, many of today's media content distribution systems possessthe capability of broadcasting metadata relating to various forms ofmedia content that is distributed through its network. For example,broadcast distribution systems such as radio have implemented a radiodata system (RDS) type protocol whereby metadata or other informationalcontent relating to the currently aired program or song is displayed ona display for the user. This RDS protocol is implemented via arelatively small amount of bandwidth that is honed from the totalbandwidth of the broadcasted audio signal and is transmitted alongsideits associated radio program content. This relatively small bandwidth isadapted to convey metadata in the form of textual information forimmediate display for the user. Throughout this specification, the term“bandwidth” is defined to mean a bit rate capacity of a predeterminedtransmission medium. Other forms of media content metadata that are notsent in-band with associated program content but are accessedindependently include the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), and digitalmusic metadata. This digital music metadata may contain information suchas lyrics, composer, artist, and the like. Thus it may be seen thatcurrently many different forms of content metadata are available and themedia content distribution networks have the capability of broadcastingmetadata which is informational to the consumer of its related mediacontent. Media content metadata is defined within this specification tobe any data such as text, sound file, movie trailer, box art, image,review, and the like that is associated with media content that can bestreamed, transmitted via unicast IP, broadcasted, or played locally onan end user device. Moreover, throughout this specification, the term‘broadcasting’ may include any known means of disseminating the metadatato one or more end user devices such as by multicasting, carouselling,and the like.

The early video distribution systems typically utilized an end userdevice such as a set top box (STB) that was capable of receiving mediacontent and its associated metadata from the network and transformingthese into commonly used ATSC, NTSC, PAL, or SECAM formatted signals foruse by a display such as a television set. Nevertheless, burgeoningnetwork topologies such as the Internet, cellular networks, satellitenetworks, wireless networks, and telephonic networks such as the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) have enabled numerous types of enduser devices to be capable of receipt and display of pertinent forms ofmedia content metadata. There are an increasing array of devices thatcan access content today including traditional to very advanced STBs,televisions (TV), High Definition Televisions, (HDTVs), Super HighDefinition Televisions (SHDTV), other home appliances (such asrefrigerators), mobile devices (cellular phones, personal dataassistants, organizers, electronic calendars, hybrid phones, etc.),personal computers, laptops, game consoles, portable video units, andportable game consoles, wherein all such devices are defined as metadataaware devices due to their ability to receive and process incoming mediacontent metadata.

Metadata generally contains information about the content that wouldallow the user or system to learn about the content without actuallyexperiencing it. As described hereinabove, metadata also enables thegeneration of a table of upcoming or currently running media content toallow the user or system to view, record, or do something else with thecontent such as filter, ignore, or block it. Metadata may includecomprehensive text about the media content including start time, stoptime, program name, year released, theatrical rating, composer, artist,album, actors, directors, short description, long description, channeland the like, wherein there are dozens of such fields, all of which arewell understood among guide data providers. Additionally, this metadatamay contain other multimedia components of interest such as pictures,thumbnail images, file icons, game simulations, posters, theatricaltrailers, box art (similar to packaged media art), content ownerassociated advertisements, content service provider associatedadvertisements, critic reviews, awards, and the like. While metadata ismeant to be useful for individuals to know what programs are currentlyplaying or will be playing in the near future, it is also useful forassociated systems and applications used for automation, learning userinteraction or habits and preference, or perhaps just providingadditional information or guidance to the user. Such automated tasksinclude the blockage of all “R-Rated” media (content television, cable,radio programs, games, music, or art/images with mature ratings,extensions of parental control or identity management) or the recordingof all instances of a particular program of interest. Without theavailability of media content metadata, the aforedescribed automatedfeatures would be rendered essentially useless and the individual isforced to sample all available media content currently playing, or referto some other piece of information such as a newspaper or some otherdistribution source or online guide to help them determine what types ofmedia content are to be broadcasted.

A drawback regarding the usage of the aforedescribed media contentmetadata within media distribution systems is that the level of detailthat each metadata record may contain is often times ill-suited for theend user device, which may use this data. In order to provide a thoroughdescription of the media content event, providers of this metadatatypically include more information than is necessary for the typicaluser. The negative ramifications of this modus operandi includes slowdissemination or carouselling of the metadata to the end user device, aswell as superfluous usage of memory resources contained therein. While anumber of methods currently exist to compress the metadata into asmaller entity that can be transmitted to the devices that require it,such methods assume that much of the available metadata available isrequired by the end user device. In fact, the most common model is tobroadcast all available media content metadata down to the end userdevice and then let the metadata aware device filter what is neededregardless of its technical capabilities, bandwidth availability, oruser preferences. This problem is exacerbated by the wide variety ofmetadata aware devices currently available in that each has differingcapabilities relative to display size and resolution, as well ascomputer processing capabilities, all of which directly impact the levelof detail of each metadata record that may optimally be used thereby.

Another drawback to currently available metadata is that metadata whichis pertinent to a particular instance of media content typically doesn'treside within a single authoritative source. That is, content metadataoriginating from multiple metadata providers may represent a completeset of all available metadata which may be available for a particularinstance of media content; however, the obtainment of such a completeset by one particular end user device has heretofore been inaccessible.

Current implementations of content metadata distribution systems havebeen principally adapted for use with end user devices having generallystandardized display capabilities. For example, a metadata distributionsystem which is adapted for display of metadata on a conventionaltelevision would be substantially ill-suited for display upon a typicalmobile device such as a cellular telephone. This is due to the fact thatmobile devices have displays which are significantly smaller than atelevision screen and thus are not adapted for display of the relativelylarge amount of information in a similar manner thereto. What has beenmissing in the art is the ability to associate the relative amount ofmetadata that is transmitted to an end user device that is commensuratewith the end user device's ability to display that metadata in anintelligible manner.

There is also an increasing issue relative to mobility. As metadataaware devices increasingly are made to roam beyond their originalinstalled location, desirable features such as transportability,interoperability, and self-discovering capabilities become increasinglyvaluable. For example, if a metadata aware device roams from its usuallocation within an individual's home to another city, its owner may wantthe option to either experience content similar to their home base, seewhat content is available locally, or perhaps even experience acombination of the two. Regardless, the need for metadata handlingcapabilities in mobile devices from differing geographic locations is onthe rise.

Finally an issue regarding the convergence of technologies will benoted. A single end user device may be a music player, interactive videoplayer, smart phone, remote control, digital video recorder (DVR),computer, game console, organizer, and the like, wherein suchconvergence of either of these devices to another possesses seriousimplications on the metadata needs as well as capabilities of such adevice that are not addressed by heretofore known metadata distributionsystems.

A metadata feed is defined as one or more files containing datarepresentative of content that is available to end user devices. Thedata within the feed may consist of records, each having one or morefields of textual or multimedia information, which could be representedin many different formats including ASCII, binary, etc. and is typicallytransmitted separately from the content that it represents as an in-bandsignal or an out-of-band signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTIVES

The present invention is directed to a novel media content metadatadistribution system that tailors the level of detail of each metadatarecord in correspondence to an interconnected metadata aware device thatrequests or requires such data. In a metadata distribution system inwhich metadata may be served to differing types of end user devices uponspecific request therefor, the system is capable of detecting variousaspects of the requesting device in order to form a minimum optimal setof fields that are transmitted in each record in order to alleviatebandwidth requirements through the transmission medium as well as toreduce the storage requirements of the metadata within metadata awaredevices while optimizing the usefulness and display of metadata across avaried capability end user device. The system is operable within adistribution network which provides for the dissemination of mediacontent and its associated media content metadata.

Upon receipt of a request for media content metadata from a clientmetadata aware device, the system is operable to detect such aspects ofthe device such as the type of device, the network with which the deviceis interconnected, the present line performance of said network, thegeographic location of the device, and any specific user-associatedpreferences. Having knowledge of these criteria, the system is then ableto deliver an optimal set of metadata suitable for transmission to theend user device. The optimal set of content metadata fields providedwill be tailored to the end user device or group of devices which therequesting device is represented, and could represent all availablecontent metadata fields for high-end devices, or an abbreviated ortruncated collection of content metadata fields for middle or lower enddevices.

One aspect of the present invention is the bandwidth preservationprovided thereby. The older, legacy metadata distribution systemsoperated in a one-way environment, whereby large amounts of metadatawere periodically broadcasted to many client user devices. However,newer distribution networks having two-way or upstream communicationeasily create the possibility of “network storms”, wherein a “networkstorm” is defined as a relatively short momentary burst of user requestsnecessitating responses that can not be handled properly due to thelimited capabilities of the transmission medium. Given these newertwo-way networks, the requirement of alleviating unnecessarytransmission of superfluous data is paramount. The present inventionprovides a solution to this need by abbreviating the amount of metadatathat is transmitted to the client device to only that data whichconceivably would be useful to the user or what is immediately needed.For example, a subset of all available metadata comprising only severaldays worth of information may be transmitted in lieu of the conventionalone to two weeks worth of metadata.

Another aspect of the present invention is a central repository for userpreferences over diverse types of metadata aware devices. Newertechnologies have enabled the receipt and use of metadata to varioustypes of user devices by a single user. Although the user may haveaccess to differing types of user devices over a period of time, his orher preferences generally do not change as rapidly. The system of thepresent invention allows the user to maintain user preferences in oneaccessible database thereby easing the creation and maintenance ofmetadata preferences. For example, identity management or parentalcontrol settings may establish account wide restrictions over any enduser device associated with such a primary user of this account.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is metadata which is highlytailored to match the capabilities of diverse types of metadata awaredevices. As it is well known that differing metadata aware devices havecapabilities which can vary greatly, the present invention provides asolution to this need by tailoring the transmitted data, therebyallowing the client device to optimally format the metadata to thedisplay as well as to make optimal use of memory and processingresources therewithin. The characteristics of the end user device thatmay be made available to the system may include such characteristicssuch as processing capabilities, minimum memory allocation, operatingsystem, or even preferred metadata data structure type. For example, thesystem may be adapted to identify a preferred data format which is usedby a metadata display application that is executed on the end userdevice. Whereas it is known that metadata display algorithms that areexecuted on the end using open structured languages such as C or C++ donot require encapsulation of data within objects, a customized metadatafeed may be created that uses this characteristic to optimally compressthe metadata to its smallest size. On the other hand, other metadatadisplay algorithms using object structured languages such as Javapreferably utilize data which is store in objects, wherein anothercustomized metadata feed may be created which contains fields stored asobjects. Thus is may be clearly seen that the present invention providesfor enhanced customization of metadata format that is ultimatelytransmitted to the end user device based upon that device'scharacteristics.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a metadatadistribution system that optimizes the metadata that is sent to ametadata aware device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means ofcatering the content metadata provided to the end user device based onthe capability of the end user device to display such information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a metadatadistribution system that reduces the effective bandwidth required totransmit listings data through a transmission medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a metadatadistribution system that enables the efficient dissemination of mediacontent metadata to varied types of end user devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a metadatadistribution system that optimally preserves the throughput of datathrough a transmission medium by tailoring the level of metadata to thetype and current performance of a transmission medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a metadatadistribution system that tailors the type of metadata transmitted to anend user device based upon user specified preferences.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a metadatadistribution system that optimizes media content metadata to be receivedby a user based upon the user's current geographical location.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent to those familiar with video distribution networks and willbecome apparent in the following portions of the specification, whereinthe detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosingpreferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitationsthereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the inventionthat together with the detailed description thereof serve to fullyexplain the principles of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary network topology of the videodistribution system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the essential components of a typical enduser device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for recordation of user preferencesand creation of a plurality of metadata feeds by the system.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for customizing metadata that iseventually transmitted to the end user device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram representing an exemplary Pre-sorting vector treewhich is adapted for use with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary, partial list of metadata records, each having arecord vector associated therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a diagrammaticrepresentation of the essential components of an exemplary media contentmetadata distribution system 10 having two-way capabilities. A two-waydistribution system is defined as the ability of a media content serverto receive and process upstream requests from a distally located enduser device in order to manipulate metadata which is sent downstream tothe device corresponding to those requests. The media content metadatadistribution system generally comprises a content server 11 such as adata center, which processes media content and its associated metadataemanating from at least one media content provider 14 and at least onemedia content metadata provider 15 respectively, and forwards this mediacontent and associated metadata onward to an end user device 22 via anyone of a number of differing types of network topologies 16. Preferably,the content server 11 is capable of processing media content metadatafrom several differing types of metadata providers including videocontent, audio content, and data content for dissemination to the enduser device 22.

Media content metadata containing information regarding upcoming as wellas currently ongoing media content, is provided by at least one mediacontent metadata provider 15 or main facility via satellite, through adata network such as the Internet, or any other well known means.Preferably, the media content metadata provider 15 may be a plurality ofcontent metadata providers although only one is shown in the drawing forclarity. As mentioned hereinbefore, the list of available media contentmetadata providers may include video distribution providers, metadataproviders interconnected to the Internet such as the Internet MovieDatabase (IMDb), other assundry online guide listings, and Radio DataSystems (RDS) protocols. it is well known that metadata pertinent to aparticular instance of media content may originate from severaldiffering metadata distribution systems. For example, informationregarding a particular type of media content such as a theatrical moviemay exist on a conventional CATV distribution system as well as from theInternet. The system of the present invention incorporates the abilityto combine pertinent fields from each metadata source in order toformulate a customized metadata feed which is optimized for use by atype or group of end user devices based on predetermined characteristicsthereof. A customized metadata feed is herein defined as a subset of allmetadata records from a plurality of uncustomized metadata feeds.Wherein the uncustomized metadata feeds may be provided by any of theaforementioned media content metadata providers 15, the customizedmetadata feed may include portions of metadata from any or all availableproviders.

All metadata is compiled at the media content metadata provider'sfacility and then forwarded on to the content server for temporarystorage within the program and database storage 13. A server controller12 is operable to administer the processes within a data center or headend including the dissemination of metadata to at least one of an enduser device 22 in either a response to a specific request by the user orperiodically in a broadcast, carousel, or multicast, type fashion. Themetadata, which is transmitted to the content server, may contain aplurality of fields such as program titles, program times, channels,ratings, and the like, or other multimedia components of interest suchas pictures, thumbnail images, file icons, posters, theatrical trailers,box art, content owner associated advertisements, content serviceprovider associated advertisements, critic reviews, awards, and thelike. In addition to serving media content and its associated metadata,the exemplary media content server is preferably capable ofadministering subscription authorization to users of the system. Thatis, the server is capable of identifying a particular user that hasissued a request for media content and/or its associated metadata inorder to determine if that user has a predetermined right to access therequested content.

Newer networking technologies have enabled the interconnection ofvarious networks 16 such as the Internet, intranet, and home networks17, wireless networks 18, video distribution networks utilizing Coax,Hybrid Fiber Cable (HFC) 20, and satellite networks 21 to a commondistribution plant. Utilizing a service provider gateway, end userdevices 22 that are interconnected to various types of networktopologies may be served by the media content server 11. Additionally,legacy aerial transmission services 19 may also be served by the contentserver. That is, the necessity of providing separate and distinctcabling network structures throughout a demographic area has beenabated. One type of protocol that has been developed for the purpose ofallowing such connectivity is a version of the Data Over Cable ServiceInterface Specification (DOCSIS). The DOCSIS protocol provides enhancedsupport for video content transports (video transmission), dataconnectivity (Internet), as well as connection to a telephonic networksuch as the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Transmission ofmedia content may be accomplished by encapsulating a version of motionpicture experts group (MPEG) packets within an Internet protocol (IP)frame via a service provider gateway, wherein the MPEG type packetizedarchitecture is a form of digitized video compression protocol suitablefor the transmission of media content. Thus, varied types of end userdevices within the home may be adapted to process metadata as well asits associated media content directly from the content server 11. Thus,it may be clearly seen and is well known in the art, that many differingtypes of end user devices, which are each interconnected to varyingtypes of network topologies, may issue requests for and receive mediacontent metadata from the content server 11.

The exemplary media content metadata distribution network 10 is adaptedfor the dissemination and transmission of a plurality of metadata to alarge plurality of differing types of end user devices 22 such aspersonal computers, gaming consoles, portable gaming devices 23,wireless devices 24 such as cellular telephones, or even set top boxesor other appliance having interactive display capabilities 25. Inpractice, the distribution network 10 of the present invention isadapted to supply broadcast media content and other related services toa large quantity of customers although only one of each type is shown inthe drawing for clarity. End user device 23 may be any type of computingdevice, which has the ability to process and display video content andits associated metadata, may provide a valid substitute. Severalexamples may include personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptopcomputers, portable media devices, smart watches, and gaming stations.Additionally wireless devices 24 such as cellular telephones, Internetenabled telephones, video telephones that are capable of processingmedia content broadcast offerings over the telephonic or cellularnetwork may also be utilized with the teachings of the presentinvention.

User interaction with the system of the present invention is preferablyaccomplished via a user input for input of individual keystrokes, inconjunction with a display such as a television, liquid crystal display(LCD), thin film transistor (TFT), or cathode ray tube (CRT) screen thatprovides the user with visual feedback in the form of a graphical userinterface (GUI). The GUI may comprise one or a plurality of screens orlayers of a single screen, each having a plurality of actuatable buttonswhich may be alternatively actuated by the user. Alternatively, specificbuttons on the end user device 22 may be provided, which are dedicatedto the actuation of a particular option button. Nevertheless, it is tobe understood that the foregoing example is merely an exemplaryconfiguration of a suitable user interface; other user interfaces arewell known in the art and thus may be substituted accordingly withoutdeviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention, such apersonal computer having a keyboard for user input.

FIG. 2 shows a generic diagrammatic view of the essential components ofa typical end user device 22. The end user device generally comprises aprogrammable micro-processor 25, non-volatile Read Only Memory (ROM) andvolatile Random Access Memory (RAM) comprising the system memory 26,optional mass storage 27, a network interfacing access/interface point28, user interface 29, and display encoder 31, which are allinterconnected together via multi-conductor bus 30. The networkinterface point 28 decodes digital streaming media content from thecontent server 11 and forwards this media content to the display encoder31. The network interface point 28 is also responsive to processor 25 inorder to request and receive media content and its associated metadatafrom the content server. The ROM contains executable programminginstructions that are perennially persistent and serve to bootstrap theend user device directly after initial power on. The RAM containsvolatile memory which may be populated with various executableinstructions that may be served from a conventional carousel (not shown)resident within the content server 11. An optional mass storage device27 is also included for the non-volatile storage of user modifiablemedia content within the device 20. The mass storage device 27 may becomprised of a magnetic or optical disk, electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), battery backed-up RAM, or anyother similar mechanism that enables the non-volatile storage ofmicro-processor readable data, wherein the data stored in said massstorage device 27 is easily modified by the micro-processor 25 duringuse. The aforedescribed end user device may exist as a dedicated unit ora box that is adapted for placement proximate a conventional display orform an integral part of a display such that the components (25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30, and 31) exist within the enclosure of the display 22.Additionally, it is contemplated that the components (25, 26, 27, 28,29, 30, and 31) may also form an integral part of other components suchas a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), personal computer, or similar typedevice. Thus, the end user device together with other associatedentertainment equipment such as televisions, PVRs, or personal computerscomprise a type of end user device that may be utilized with the presentinvention.

The present invention provides a system for the customization ofmetadata that is transmitted to the end user device in a periodicalfashion, or in response to a specific user request. Among other things,this customization of metadata serves the purpose of reducing theoverall bandwidth required for transmission through any given network19. There are preferably several optional customization schemes that maybe applied to the raw metadata, which is temporarily stored within theprogram and database storage 13. The types of metadata customizationschemes may include means to filter the raw metadata according to atleast one of a plurality of characteristics of the end user device suchas user preferences, end user device type, device interconnection type,connection performance, device location; each of which is to bedescribed in detail hereinbelow. Utilizing one or all of these varyingtypes of schemes, media content metadata may be transmitted to a clientend user device 22 in such a manner that optimally preserves the limitedbandwidth resources of a typical media content distribution network.

Each of the differing types of media content have established a uniqueformat or organization of informational data of its associated metadata,which is preferably pertinent to that particular form thereof. That is,the type of informational data contained within a particular metadatarecord has been optimized for use with its associated media content. Forexample, media content metadata associated with a popular song maycontain the title, song lyrics, published date, and the like. Videocontent on the other hand, may contain other information that is morepertinent to its type such as title, rating, run time, and such. Ineither case, each metadata instance which is associated with aparticular instance of media content will contain a plurality ofindividual fields that is capable of uniquely characterizing itsassociated media content.

One optional scheme for the recordation of user preferences is shown inthe flowchart of FIG. 3. Using this scheme, user preferences that aremanually inputted by the user allow the system to process ensuingrequests for metadata to filter unwanted or undesirable metadata thatwould not be of interest. The administration of user preferences may beaccomplished manually in response to direct user input, or automaticallybased upon the identity of the user (e.g. parental controls engaged byuser's parent). Manual administration of user preferences may includethe setting of parental control rights, genre preferences, or othersimilar type attributes that may be associated with current metadataimplementations.

Automatic administration of user preferences may be accomplished viavarying means such as Digital Rights Management (DRM). Currentimplementations of DRM include the ability to control access to variedforms of media content such as video programs, textual documents, music,books, and even eCommerce. It is important to note that the DRM standardis not only limited to the control of media in a digitized format; DRMmay also be enabled to control access to digital media as well as older,legacy analog media. DRM systems provide for the purchase of mediacontent as well as controls its use according to any licensingagreements associated with that particular media content.

In use, the system may obtain specific user preference data from theuser. This user data obtaining means may be accomplished in severaldifferent ways, either by an interactive application residing entirelyon the end user device 22, or via a distributed fashion whereby theprocess is operable from the content server 11 which issues specificqueries that are displayed upon the display of the end user device 22(step S100). The type of user preference data, which is obtained bysystem, may include information such as name, age, address, hobbies,hours of television watched per day, as well as other objective interestinformation such as television show preferences, movies, situationalcomedy (sit-com) preferences, news, sports, and the like. Additionally,user preference data may be obtained for other non-video or televisiontype forms of metadata such as music, wherein queries may be offered bythe system to request the genre of music types the user may beinterested in. The selection of queries is preferably supplied to theuser on the display of any end user device 22 as a sequential list ofquestions or by a simultaneously displayed group of questions, eachhaving correspondingly selectable radio buttons or the like. Forexample, a plurality of queries may be supplied to the end user deviceas a webpage in hyper text markup language (HTML) or extensible markuplanguage (XML) format. The webpage may have a plurality of entry fields,each corresponding to a query, which are displayed upon an Internetcapable device such as a personal computer. In response to the system'sdisplay of user preference queries, the user enters his or her personalpreferences via the user interface of the end user device (step S101).

Following receipt of the user preference data from the user, the systemprocesses accumulated data into a form which is easily matched againstthe various types of metadata to be served to the end user device uponrequest (step S102) in order to form a user profile for that device.Additionally, the system may select one or more user preferencesautomatically based upon the identity of the user. (step S103). Forexample, channel information, or other predetermined field informationassociated with a metadata record may be adapted for filtering basedupon any pre-agreed upon service level agreement. As to be described indetail hereinbelow, each instance of a metadata record possessesparticular fields which characterizes its associated media content. Thesystem correlates user preferences into a form which allows the systemto quickly match the aforedescribed user preferences with the availabletypes of metadata fields. After the user profile data has been processedby the system, it is stored within the program and database storage 13,whereby ensuing requests for metadata by the user enables the system tofilter unwanted metadata from all of the available plurality of metadatathat is eventually transmitted (step S104).

A novel feature of the present invention is the ability to combinerecords from differing metadata providers in order to form a customizedfeed comprising a plurality of customized records, which in turn, mayeach contain a plurality of fields which may be a superset or subset ofany particular contributing record. Based upon user preferences providedby a multitude of users, the system is able to create a plurality ofmetadata feeds, each of which may be uniquely suited for the varyingtypes of attributes associated with a user request (step S105). Forexample, one metadata feed may be created which contains the maximumamount of fields available for any particular content metadata instance,wherein this feed may be utilized upon request by end user devices suchas HDTVs which possess inherent capabilities to utilize suchcomprehensive data. On the other hand, other metadata feeds may createdwhich are optimally suited for use with devices having low to moderatedisplay capabilities. Other contemplated metadata feeds may comprisesubsets of all available metadata feeds based upon user preferences,connection type, connection performance, geographical location, and thelike. Preferably, the system also provides for the creation of at leastone default metadata feed that is adapted for usage if a sufficientmatch with user attributes is not found or if no user attributes aredetermined from the request. Such a default metadata feed would beuniversally acceptable on any device no matter how low its display orstorage capabilities may be, thereby providing a least commondenominator approach to serving metadata to an end user device.

The aforedescribed algorithm is created using conventional softwareprogramming techniques that may be programmed using languages such asJava, C, C++ or any suitable conditional programming language. Thealgorithm may be executable upon any end user device 22 or may beexecutable in a distributed mode whereby the content server 11 sharesprocessing responsibilities with the end user device in a server-clientrelationship.

The aforedescribed user preference scheme enables filtering of therequested metadata on a field-by-field basis or by filtering entireunwanted metadata records. Using the differing created metadata feeds,each of a plurality of fields from each of the plurality of metadatarecords, which are transmitted to a user in response to a specificrequest, may be filtered to suit the end user device's capabilities aswell as desires. In addition to the capability of filtering unwantedfields from metadata, the system also provides the capability offiltering unwanted or unnecessary records from the plurality of metadatarecords that are transmitted upon each request for metadata from theuser.

The flowchart as shown in FIG. 4 depicts the sequential operations thatare taken by the system in response to a specific request for mediacontent metadata from the content server 11. As will be described,several different type of schemes may be optionally utilized to uniquelycustomize the types of metadata instances that are transmitted to theuser in response to a specific request. Initially, an end user device 22issues a request for a specific type of content metadata (step S110).This request may contain a request for any type of metadata that isavailable from the content server 11. For example, a portable devicesuch as a laptop computer or PDA may request metadata in the form ofvideo content listings data associated with conventional video contentor metadata associated with a currently playing song from a radiostation. As an additional example, a set top box may issue a request fordetailed metadata regarding a newly released movie, which is notcurrently slated for broadcast by the video distribution network. Thusthe system of the present invention provides for access to various typesof metadata from virtually any end user device that is interconnected tocontent server via virtually any distribution network.

The content server next takes receipt of the request and ensuinglyqueues the request according to available processing throughput andcurrent server loading (step S111). After a preferably relatively shortamount of time, the system forwards the request to an algorithm thatattempts to determine the source of the request (step S112). If thesource of the request is identified, the system is searched for thepresence of a user profile of that particular user and the userpreferences that were recorded and compiled in steps S100 through S105are recorded (step S114).

The user preference scheme provides the system with information thatwill be used for providing an optimal match with a particular customizedmetadata feeds from among a list of alternative customized metadatafeeds, the details of which are described in detail hereinbelow. Forexample, the user may be concerned with the quality of video content andthus may wish to view the included reviews associated with each metadatainstance. Others may not care about the reviews and therefor may havethis field filtered from the metadata that is ultimately transmitted.Thus the user preference scheme provides for abbreviation of eachmetadata instance in accordance with a set of pre-defined user specifieduser preferences.

Another optional metadata filtering scheme provided by the presentinvention is an user location filtering scheme. Using this filteringscheme, the user would have the ability to retrieve metadata that isassociated with media content available at his or her home, in spite ofthe fact that the user may be at a distally remote location. Moreover,the system has the ability to maintain knowledge of the home location ofthe user, and be capable of retrieving metadata, which is pertinent tomedia content proximate this locale. This particular feature of thepresent invention provides substantial benefit due to today's highlymobile society. In such cases where the user is away from home, the userwould be able to easily view content metadata that is pertinent of keenimportance thereto such as regional news, home sporting events,community events, and the like. Thus, the user would be able to maintainan active knowledge base of upcoming media content and, with means toallow the user to access the home-based media content while away, viewthe associated content from the distal location. In the presentembodiment, it is important to note that the user is not required toview only home-based metadata; provisions are made within the userinterface to allow the user to request either home-based metadata orlocal metadata prior to the transmission of the request thereof.

The user location filtering scheme operates in close conjunction withthe user preference filtering scheme in that the identity of the usermust be known prior to processing the user request for metadata. Theuser profile of the user, which is stored in the program and databasestorage 13, is queried to hopefully determine the home location of theuser (step S116). Alternatively, the location of the end user device maybe learned from its location similarly to the way Internet Protocol (IP)traffic is localized or regionalized, or from its reverse Domain NamingSystem (DNS) host name. If the home location of the user can not bedetermined, or the user does not wish to view home-based metadataofferings, processing of the user request continues on to the next step.Otherwise the request for home-based metadata offerings is honored and alocation variable is set by the system for use by the metadata matchingprocess (to be described hereinbelow) (step S117).

Another optional metadata filtering scheme provided by the presentinvention is an end user device type filtering scheme. This schemeutilizes the identity of the source of the request in order to determinethe type of device that is currently being used by the user (step S118).A particular user may have several differing types of end user devicesalthough only one user profile has been created therefor. The presentinvention provides a solution to this need by enabling the customizationof the type of fields within each metadata record that is sent to theend user device. The source of the request may determine the type of enduser device 22 that issued the request as well as the identity of theuser who made the request. Identification of the type of end user deviceenables the system to uniquely tailor the format of the requestedmetadata into a form which is most closely suited for use thereby. Thus,devices such as cellular telephones or PDAs having limited displaycapabilities would receive only the types of data that is suitable fordisplay within a relatively small display area. End user devices havinglarger display capabilities on the other hand, would be available toreceive relatively large amounts of metadata, which is relativelydetailed in nature. Thus, if the system is capable of determining theend user device type, this is recorded for later use (step S119). Thedevice type may include several characteristics of the end user devicesuch as display capabilities, type of operating system, metadata displayalgorithm type, and preferred data structure.

Next, the system may attempt to determine the type of network that theend user device 22 is interconnected to, thereby defining a connectivitytype filtering scheme. Whereas it is known that particular types oftransmission networks such as the various aforedescribed network typeseach have individual nuances that tend to affect the amount of datathroughput that may be accomplished at any given point in time, thesystem provides a means of further “throttling” the amount of data whichis transmitted therethrough, thereby alleviating the potential foroverload of the subject transmission network. For example, end userdevices interconnected to the content server via a video distributionnetwork have a relatively large bandwidth capacity and thus abbreviationof the transmitted metadata would not affect any significant advantages.Other networks such as a data network which interconnects the end userdevice to the content server via a conventional dial-up modem wouldbenefit greatly from any abbreviation of the metadata in order to lessenthe amount of data that must be transmitted.

In order to implement the connectivity type filtering scheme of thepresent invention, the system examines the incoming request in order tohopefully determine the network to which the end user device isinterconnected (step S120). If the connection type is determinable, thesystem then records this information for later use (step S121).

Another optional metadata filtering scheme provided by the presentinvention is a connection performance filtering scheme. Althoughsomewhat similar to the previously described connectivity type filteringscheme in the fact that a general assessment of prospective overallthroughput may be obtained, the connection performance filtering schemeenhances the ability of the system to more accurately assess currentperformance characteristics of the transmission medium to which the enduser device is interconnected. The connection performance filteringscheme is separate and distinct from the connectivity type filteringscheme in that logical assessments may be made according to actualcurrent throughput in order to minimize any perceived performancelimitations by the user. Additionally, the connection performancefiltering scheme serves to reduce unnecessary data throughput that wouldotherwise impede performance of the transmission network and undulycause congestion thereon.

Following modification of the metadata structure by the connectivitytype filtering scheme, the system attempts to perform a scan of thenetwork to which the end user device is interconnected in order tomeasure the approximate performance capabilities thereof (step S122). Ifthis value can not be obtained after a relatively short period,approximately less than 600 milliseconds, this filtering scheme isskipped by the system. However once a metric for this characteristic isobtained, the system assesses this value to determine if furtherabbreviation of the metadata structure should be performed. If currentperformance of the subject network is not currently under congestion, anappropriate type of metadata feed will be transmitted to the end userdevice. However, if it is determined that current congestion or poornetwork performance of the subject network exists, the resultingmetadata feed will be an attenuated set of data of what otherwise wouldbe transmitted. Given this criteria, the system records any necessarynetwork performance attributes which will be used later to provide ametadata feed which is suitable for transmission to the end user device(step S123).

Once the request for metadata has been processed by any or all of theaforementioned schemes, the system then determines whether any uniqueattributes thereof have been recorded (step S124). If any or allattributes have been recorded according to any or all of theaforedescribed filtering schemes, it along with any detailed userpreferences and/or location preferences are matched against allavailable network metadata feeds in order to match the request to anoptimal metadata from among a plurality of available metadata feeds(step S125). Additionally, entire records may be filtered againstspecific user preferences that may have been inputted by the user in theconstruction of the user profile or in preparation for transmission ofthe current request. In a similar fashion, the location variable ismatched against all available metadata feeds to verify the availabilityof media content metadata from the specified locale. After the metadatafeed has been fully customized according to the system, it istransmitted as a response to the user's request back to the end userdevice (step S126). Nevertheless, if no unique characteristic of therequest has been determined, the system may then choose to transmit oneof the previously created default metadata feeds to the end user device(step S127).

The process of FIG. 4 exists as one or more executable programs withinthe content server 11 and is written and compiled using any suitablelanguage such as Java, C or C++, or any other suitable programminglanguage. The executable programs are perpetually resident and active onthe server to continually process incoming requests which originate fromany one of the aforementioned end user devices.

Another feature of the present invention contemplates the use ofpre-sorting and pre-filtering of primary and shadow data structures, forthe enablement of high performance searching, and reduction of metadatathat stored within the end user device. The content server 11 typicallyhas significantly more processing power than the end user device for thepurpose of processing data. Further, data processing operations such aspre-sorting or pre-filtering are much more efficiently accomplishedsingularly within the server rather than within each of the many enduser devices. As such, one skilled in the art may readily comprehendthat maximal efficiency of metadata processing may be accomplished byproviding this function within the content server. Pre-sorting treescomprise a type of hierarchal data structure for the containment andmanagement of data in rapidly accessible form. A pre-sorted treegenerally comprises a root node which may be associated with aparticular metadata feed and a plurality of child nodes, each comprisingat least one sorting list or leaf node. In turn, each sorting listcontains vector pointers to metadata records that are pertinent thereto,wherein FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary partial pre-sorting tree. Usingthese pre-sorting trees, users may be able to quickly search for mediacontent of interest using such pre-defined attributes such as mediacontent title, genre, actor or actress, or the like.

The usage of pre-sorting trees are enabled via the aforementioned systemwhich is capable of identifying critical information regarding therequester of the metadata. Whereas the creation and transmission of allpossible pre-sorted lists to each user would be unduly burdensome, thepresent invention provides for an abbreviation of the quantity ofexisting pre-sorted lists based upon user preferences which are madeknown upon the request for metadata. Although any quantity ofpre-sorting lists may be utilized with the teachings of the presentinvention, it has been determined that only a few sorting and filteringlists are sufficient for most applications. The user interface of theend user device may contain a limited quantity of selectable criteriasuch as program name, actors/actresses, genre type, and the like forallowing the user to iteratively search through the available pluralityof metadata. Thus the type and quantity of pre-sorting lists, which arecreated for use with the present invention, would be adapted to closelycorrespond with these selection criteria that is available to the user.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary pre-sorting tree which is adapted for use withthe present invention. As shown, the root node 40 is a particular typeof pre-sorting tree which is adapted for use with a HDTV type metadatafeed. Also is shown, three child nodes comprising “genre” 41 a,“actors/actresses” 41 b, and “ratings” 41 c are included which containspecific attributes about the subject metadata. It is to be understoodthat the three child nodes do not comprise a comprehensive list of allattributes, but rather contains only a subset of all availableattributes in order to form a simplified illustration for the purposesof brevity and clarity. Additionally, the “genre” child node containstwo leaf nodes entitled “movies” 42 a and “sports” 42 b, wherein theseleaf nodes contain lists of vector pointers to metadata records that maybe transmitted to, and stored in the end user device. FIG. 6 shows apartial list of metadata records 43 that may be stored within the systemmemory 26, or mass storage 27 of an end user device 22. Each metadatarecord 43 has an associated record vector 44 associated therewith. Inpractice, the system memory 26, or mass storage 27 of an end user devicemay contain numerous records, however only several are shown in theexemplary illustration.

As may be seen, the “movies” leaf node 42 a contains three vectorpointers, each to records as shown in FIG. 6 which are of the moviegenre type. Conversely, the “sports” leaf node 42 b contains two vectorpointers corresponding to two records that are of the sports genre type.The “actors/actresses” 41 b, and “ratings” 41 c child nodes may possesschild nodes, however they are not shown in the present drawing for thepurposes of brevity and clarity. Each record vector may be a pointer toa specific memory location when used with an open structured languagesuch as C or C++, or the record vector may be an offset to an objectwhen used in conjunction with an object structured language such asJava.

The type of data structure may be any tree data structure whichpreferably conserves memory usage while providing ample access to thevector lists in an efficient manner. Given these criteria, a PatriciaTrie is a preferred type due to its ability to provide optimalconservation of memory resources, however other tree data structuressuch as bucket tries, compact trees, digital search trees, and the likewould each provide a viable alternative. In practice, the type of datastructure used is dependent upon the nature of the task that thestructure is supporting. The Patricia Trie is particularly useful forsearching for titles, keywords, actors/actresses, or the like, whereinthe desired item may be searched for using command completion, acomputer searching process which is well known in the art. Theinformation contained in each node defines the resulting set thatmatches. In the case of searching for a program title, the node cancontain an offset into an array that is sorted based on program titleand the number of program titles from the offset that also meet thesearch criteria.

In use, a pre-sorted tree is created periodically and preferably inresponse to receipt of new metadata from at least one metadata provider15. All of the metadata is scanned for keywords or fields containingpertinent data in order to populate the various leaf nodes or vectorlists with pertinent vector pointers. Then in response to a request formetadata from a end user device, the user preferences will be checked inorder to identify a subset of all available leaf nodes that will betransmitted to the end user device 22. The subset of available leafnodes preferably comprises information that will be most likely to beutilized by the end user device. Thus these pre-sorted leaf nodes arestatically stored within the system memory, or mass storage of the enduser device 22 and may be utilized thereby to quickly search for andaccess metadata which is stored thereon.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, theaforedescribed embodiment utilized a metadata structure which isoptimized for use with video programming content. Nevertheless, it willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of metadatamay make use of the present invention by merely substituting fields thatare optimally suited for that particular type of media content. Thus,the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A system for the customization of media content metadata, said mediacontent metadata including a plurality of records which are associatedwith a particular type of media content, wherein each of said recordsincludes a plurality of fields for defining said type of media content,the system comprising: at least one end user device which is capable ofdisplaying said media content metadata; a content server which isoperable to obtain or receive said metadata from one or more availablemetadata provider, said content server also being operable to transmitsaid metadata to said end user device in response to a request from saidend user device; and, a customization scheme which is utilized by saidcontent server to customize the quantity of records or the type offields included within each record which is transmitted to said end userdevice in response to said request.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid customization scheme is operable to identify at least one userpreference which has been recorded by a user of said end user device. 3.The system of claim 2, further comprising a pre-sorting tree for theenablement of relatively fast searches of said metadata that is storedwithin said end user device, said pre-sorting including at least oneleaf node which contains a plurality of reference pointers to acorresponding plurality of said metadata records.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein said end user device is utilized by a user, and saidcustomization scheme includes a means to identify a home location ofsaid user.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said end user device isutilized by a user, and said customization scheme includes a means toidentify a current location of said user.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein said customization scheme is operable to determine a type ofdevice which issued said request.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thetype of device is selected from the group consisting of set top boxes,personal computers, personal digital assistants, telephones, Internetenabled telephones, video telephones, smart watches, portable mediadevices, gaming stations, and laptop computers.
 8. The system of claim1, wherein said end user device is interconnected to said content servervia a predetermined type of network, said customization schemecomprising a means to determine said type of network.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the type of network is a video distribution network, adata network, satellite network, cellular network, wireless network, ora telephonic network.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein saidcustomizations scheme including means to determine the currentconnectivity performance of said network.
 11. A system for the creationof at least one customized metadata feed, said metadata feed includingat least one customized metadata record which is associated with aparticular type of media content, and wherein each of said customizedmetadata records includes a plurality of fields for defining said typeof media content, said system comprising: at least two metadataproviders, each metadata source having at least one uncustomizedmetadata record which is associated with one particular instance ofmedia content; and, a content server which is operable to receive saidmetadata feed from each of said metadata providers, said content serveralso being operable to transmit said customized metadata feed to an enduser device in response to a request from said end user device; whereinsaid system is operable to combine at least one field from anuncustomized record of one of said metadata provider with at least onefield from an uncustomized record of another of said metadata providerin order to create said at least one customized metadata record.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein said at least one customized metadata feedis a plurality of customized metadata feeds, each customized metadatafeed being optimized for selective transmission to said end user devicebased upon a characteristic of said end user device.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein said plurality of customized metadata feeds includesat least one default metadata feed, wherein said default metadata feedis optimized for selective transmission to said end user device fromwhich no characteristic has been determined.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein said characteristic is a network type which interconnects saidend user device to said content server.
 15. The system of claim 11,wherein said characteristic is an end user device type.
 16. The systemof claim 11, wherein said end user device is interconnected to a contentserver via a network, said characteristic being the current connectivityperformance of said network.
 17. In a system for broadcasting customizedmetadata to at least one end user device, said customized metadataincluding a plurality of uncustomized records, each including aplurality of fields, a method for the customization of said metadatacomprising the steps of: receiving a first uncustomized record from afirst metadata provider and a second uncustomized record from a secondmetadata provider; wherein said first and second uncustomized recordsare associated with a particular instance of media content; combining atleast one field from said first uncustomized record with at least onefield from said second uncustomized record in order to create saidcustomized record, wherein said customized record is optimized for usevia a characteristic of said end user device; and, transmitting saidcustomized record to said end user device upon a user request.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the said characteristic of said end userdevice is selected from the group consisting of user preferences, enduser device type, device capabilities, device interconnection type,connection performance, and device location.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein said at least one customized record is a plurality of customizedrecords, each customized record being optimized for selectivetransmission to said end user device based upon said characteristic ofsaid end user device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said pluralityof customized records includes at least one default record, wherein saiddefault record is optimized for selective transmission to said end userdevice from which no characteristic has been determined.
 21. In a systemfor broadcasting customized metadata to at least one end user device, amethod for the customization of said metadata comprising the steps of:receiving a plurality of uncustomized records from at least one metadataprovider, wherein each of said uncustomized records includes a pluralityof fields; creating a customized metadata feed which comprises saidplurality of customized records, wherein each customized record includesa plurality of fields which is a subset of said uncustomized recordsfrom each metadata provider; receiving a request for said metadata fromsaid end user device; identifying a characteristic of said end userdevice; and, transmitting said customized metadata feed to said end userdevice.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one metadataprovider is a plurality of metadata providers.
 23. The method of claim21, wherein said characteristic is a network type which interconnectssaid end user device to said content server.
 24. The method of claim 21,wherein said characteristic is a end user device type.
 25. The method ofclaim 21, wherein said end user device is interconnected to a contentserver via a network, said characteristic being the current connectivityperformance of said network.